The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-22
NATURAL, GAS.

natural gas, even under the most favorable
Introduction into the city, The Journal has
not, and does not now, favor any particular
company, but it does favor and will advocate
any measure that it believes will tend to the
development, growth and prosperity of Indi-
annapolis. Whatever measure will help Indi-
annapolis will help the State. The growth of
this city, and other towns and cit
les, of course, helps the State,
and will help the communities In
which we live and the great commonwealth
in which we all have an interest. This city,
and other cities, and almost every county,
have voted gratuities and money in the aid
of railroads and manufacturing establish
ments; this city has even gone to the extent
of voting more than 800, 900 to establish a
park, to attract business population, and to
contribute to the comfort of the people. Now
new feature is being brought into use, which,
it is claimed. and very properly claimed,
doubt, will supply cheaper and better fuel
to manufacturers, and will be matter of
economy in the expense of every family.
This is q new resource, which, like the gen
Grafton of steam, of electricity, and the later
developments of science, will add to the COM
fort and service of mankind. This new ele-
ment being utilized in many Cities is natural
gas. Manufacturers and private consumers use
it because it is cheaper and better than any
-. Lo.z k1cz- 80
uring center that can utilize natural gas has
the advantage over those places remote from
it. The nearer the gas belt, the cheaper the
fuel and the greater the benefit the people
derive. Gas has been found near many cities
in the country, and they have eagerly sought
the benefits its use would bring to them. The
natural advantages of rivers and lakes have
always aided the growth of places on their
borders, and for no greater reason than
because of the cheapening of fuel and of
transportation. It has been demonstrated
that natural gas, in quantities suffi-
cient to cheaper fuel and add another element
to the wealth of the State, has been found
within its borders Unfortunately for In
dianapolis it has not been discovered very near
this city, but it has been found within such
proximity that, with the aid of enterprise and
capital, it can be brought for our use and advan-
tage. The question with the citizens and
property owners is how to get the advantage
of this new agent the quickest and best. Will
the city, through its authorities, help and in
duSe this element of wealth by friendly legis-
lation, or will it throw about it such restric-
tons as will prohibit or impede it's coming2
Natural gas should be welcomed in its
advent as an ally, rather than be met at our
gates a foe The people who want gas
ought to have the right to get it. Others
need not use it unless they want to; but be-
cause part Of the people say it will cost too
much, they need not and ought not to say
that no one else in the city shall have it. The
Journal will favor, and does favor, any sys-
city. 1t would not give exclusive privileges
to any company, but it would afford such
privileges to ALL that with due regard to the
public safety, public health and
benefit of the greatest number. No terms
should be prescribed that would prohibit hon.
est and fair competition, but such liberal terms
should be granted as will induce capital to
seek fair return. Because natural gas is a
new agent, and its fountain, limit and dura-
ton matters of doubt and uncertainty, it can
not be bound by the rigid restrictions proper
to those elements of commerce whose
quantities and qualities are known
from long years of use and
adaptation. Give everybody and every COM
pany, having bona ide purpose and who evil
dence the ability to aid the city. fair foot
ing-but above all do not prohibit the ac-
complishment of the general welfare, simply
because theorists and street warblers talk and
pirate their imagining of better things. It is
better to do something, even bunglingly, than
to stand in the way OF those who try to do the
best they know.
So far as the ordinance introduced into the
Council last night is concerned, it should be
examined upon its merits and with the purpose
in mind to consider it in the public interest,
which means, primarily, in the view of the
Journal with the desire to secure gas and
not with the desire to keep it out 1t may
and doubtless does, need amendmentsbut it
need not be pounced upon though it and
the company behind it were public enemies.
We have already expressed the opinion that it
should be amended in the matter of an
elusive privilege. To that feature we are OPP
posed now, as we have been from the begin
ming. There are other features that may re-
quire amendment; but the point we urge Is,
that the Councils and the people should con-
slider the question with the dominant idea of
getting gas and not with the idea of keeping